VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 209 



must be at least 4 or 5 feet, which entails much more 

 labor and loss of ground. For the past eight years I have 

 grown none but the dwarf varieties, and have saved, in 

 consequence, at least one-half in labor, and one-third in 

 ground, while the average price per root in market has 

 been always equal and occasionally higher than for the 

 tall growing sorts. 



My neighbors around me have at last got their eyes 

 opened to the value of the dwarf sorts, and I think that a 

 few years more will -suffice to throw the large and coarse- 

 flavored sorts, such as " Seymour's Superb," and " Giant," 

 out of our markets. 



The preparation, of the soil and planting of Celery for 

 winter use, is the same in all respects, except that, what is 

 intended for winter need never be " banked up" with the 

 spade. It merely requires to be put through the handling 

 process, to put it in a compact and upright position pre- 

 paratory to being stowed away in winter quarters. This 

 should not be done before the middle of September, or 

 just long enough before the Celery is dug up, to keep it 

 in the upright position. 



We have, however, another method which we have 

 found to answer very well for the late crop, and it is one 

 by which more roots can be grown on the same space and 

 with less labor than by any other. It is simply to plant 

 the Celery one foot apart, each way, nothing farther being 

 required after planting, except twice or thrice hoeing, to 

 clear the crop of weeds until it grows enough to cover 

 the ground. No handling or earthing up is required by 

 this method, for, as the plants struggle for light, they 

 naturally assume an upright position, the leaves all assum- 

 ing the perpendicular instead of the horizontal, which is 

 the condition essential before being put in winter quarters. 

 This method is not quite so general with us as planting in 

 rows, and it is perhaps better adapted for private gardens 

 than for market ; as the plant is more excluded from the 



